CASH REGISTER AND METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR CASH TRANSACTIONS

A method of obtaining, recording and using the denomination and the serial number of bills received into cash registers from purchasers, and using computer automation to dispense other bills from the cash registers to make change. Enhanced accounting, security and efficiency for cash transactions is provided by electronically associating bills with information describing the purchases and, optionally, transmitting electronically this information to the purchaser. Optical character recognition is used to identify the denomination and serial number of each bill. Optionally, a cashier may enter a duress code into the register to initiate a silent alarm signal, identify the serial numbers of each bill dispensed under duress, or mark an invisible ink onto each bill dispensed under duress. The method also enables determining whether each bill received is counterfeit or stolen.